IPG Reports 'Double-Digit' PR Growth In Q2; Omnicom PR Revenue Flat

NEW YORK — Revenues from Interpublic Group (IPG) PR firms, which include Weber Shandwick and Golin, have exceeded 10% organic growth in both Q2 and H1 2015.
The PR firms are part of the group's CMG division which was up 2.3% organically to $349.4m in Q2. During the earnings call, IPG CEO Michael Roth called out “notable growth” at “most” of IPG’s agencies, including Weber Shandwick and Golin. Both firms saw double-digit gains in Q2.

“The social media and content creation capabilities at Weber Shandwick are second to none – if those were standalone groups, they would be among the world’s largest digital agencies in their respective disciplines,” Roth said during the call. “Golin has a strong real-time digital media offering.”

Weber Shandwick CEO Andy Polansky told the Holmes Report the agency saw “a very healthy environment” in 24 markets, including those in North America, the UK and China. He also noted considerable demand across its healthcare, consumer marketing and corporate practices. Overall, IPG's organic revenue growth for Q2 was up 6.7% to $1.9bn.

Meanwhile, at rival holding company Omnicom, PR revenue has grown organically 1.6% in H1 2015 to nearly $685m. Looking at only Q2, PR revenue was up nearly flat at 0.3% organic growth. Omnicom's PR agencies — part of the holding company’s DAS Group — include Ketchum, FleishmanHillard, Porter Novelli and Marina Maher.

In H1 2015, PR comprised about 9.4% of Omnicom’s overall revenues (advertising makes up the majority at around 50%). Overall, Omnicom revenues were up 5.2% organically in Q2 with 60% of revenues coming from North America.